Agricultural vehicle manufacturer New Holland is embracing bio-diesel by endorsing the use of 20 per cent blends (B20) in all of its engines Europe-wide.

Deriving from crops including sunflowers and rape, either pure bio-diesel (B100) can be used or mixed with conventional diesel to produce a more environmentally-friendly blend.

All diesel engines use a platinum catalyst.

Marketing manager for New Holland Europe, Christian Gonzalez, said: "We recognise the importance of bio-diesel as an alternative source of energy and the opportunities that it brings to our customers. Bio-diesel offers significant benefits in terms of lower emissions, greater energy independence and a positive impact on agriculture.

"Bio-diesel is the future," he added.

Engineering executive director at FiatPowerTrain, responsible for building New Holland engines for tractors and similar, explained: "As increasingly tight emissions legislation is introduced, we want to make sure that we are in a position to offer our customers engines they can confidently run on bio-diesel."

Both companies are currently running tests in order to support the safe use of stronger bio-diesel blends than 20 per cent.

European EN14214 regulations ensure that bio-diesel blends will not impair the performance or durability of an engine.

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